The World Tonight: The entire Public Works office in Bulacan’s first district is relieved amid a government probe of suspected ghost flood control projects in the Philippine province. The claim of the public works secretary that these are isolated cases is denounced by a Philippine senator.

The entire Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) office in Bulacan’s first district has been relieved amid a government probe into suspected “ghost” flood control projects. This action follows Senator Panfilo Lacson’s exposé on these alleged anomalies.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan announced the relief of all personnel in the district, stating that the issue of “ghost” projects appears to be an isolated case specific to Bulacan. However, Senator Lacson refuted this claim, asserting that his office has conducted case studies in other areas like Pampanga and Northern Luzon, which indicate a more widespread problem. Lacson criticized Bonoan’s statement as a “defense mechanism.”

The controversy centers around several flood control projects in Bulacan, including a riverbank protection project in Barangay Calero, Malolos, worth over 77 million pesos. According to official records, this project was completed in October 2024, yet investigations reveal it is far from finished and was funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Local officials, including Barangay Chairman Ruben Paraiso, have confirmed the project’s incomplete status and expressed their lack of awareness regarding the project’s specifics.

This issue highlights potential widespread corruption within the DPWH, as the contractor for one of the alleged “ghost” projects is among the top 15 companies that have reportedly cornered 100 billion pesos in flood control projects since 2022. The investigation continues as residents of Bulacan, one of the most flood-prone provinces, await tangible solutions to their persistent flooding problems.

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